Lewis wrote:
So being a Speke one it's one of the ones thrown together by really disgruntled people? IIRC the Canley cars were the ones that were screwed together properly weren't they?
Yes they began production at Speke with 2 purpose built factories for the Toledo. Production was switched to take the TR7 on board and this when I think the workforce got too big for their boots as they realised how much was riding on the TR7 project (we must remember that something like 75% of All S T output was sent across the pond to the States at this time).
The TR7 was designed purely with the American market in mind.
The workforce was one of the most militant that Britsh industry had known. Strikes were abundant at both plants. It first they set back the launch date for the model in the States and later when the UK spec vehicle was launched. It is rumored (though probably fokelore) that production line workers would delibrately scrape paint off from under wheel arches and sills as the cars moved down the line to make them rust quickly to dis satisfy the new owner, thus they would complain to the showrooms, who would then feedback to th factory and then to the management - thus the production line workers who did this thought the were "getting their own back"
A dispute over "work to rule" finally halted production for around 3 months and B L took the decision to close the factory in (I think in early '76) and moved the line to Canley.
So Adam's car would have been one of the last out of the gate at Speke. and probably stood around for a good while whilst the last strike took place.
Both look butt ugly from some angles.
... Still Sprintless.
